{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,15]],"date-time":"2026-10-15T00:20:10Z","timestamp":1792023610490,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782172800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Digit. Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Military recruitment and retention efforts are significantly challenging due to a limited pool of qualified candidates and increasing competition from private industries. Before attending Navy basic training, all non-prior service enlistees enter the Navy's Delayed Entry Program (DEP), which is designed to help recruiters prepare Future Sailors (FS) for military life. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps), such as CoachMePlus (CM+), may assist recruiters in enhancing FS readiness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, usability, and impact of an mHealth app on FS readiness.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A total of 92 FS (13 females, 79 males; ages\u2009=\u200918\u201328 years) were enrolled in a training program delivered via the mHealth app CM+. The program consisted of three modules: general military training (GMT), nutrition, and physical training. At baseline, FS completed a survey that included demographics and health history. Body weight and body fat percentage were measured and tracked monthly by recruiters. FS also completed weekly check-ins on the app and logged dietary intakes for 3 days each month, which were reviewed by a registered dietitian nutritionist.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      FS logged into the app an average of 2.1\u2009\u00b1\u20090.2 times per day, and 92.4% (\n                      <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009=\u200985) successfully graduated from basic training. During DEP, knowledge improvements were realized for GMT and nutrition, as evidenced by test score increases: GMT scores improved from =51.7\u2009\u00b1\u20091.6 to 67.9\u2009\u00b1\u20092.9, and nutrition scores increased from 58.1\u2009\u00b1\u20091.1 to 68.8\u2009\u00b1\u20092.0, (\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009&amp;lt;\u20090.001). Approximately 64% (\n                      <jats:italic>n<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009=\u200959) of the FS recorded dietary intake for at least 7 days, reporting lower fiber and higher fat and sodium intake than recommended. Calcium and vitamin D intakes were also insufficient. Self-efficacy for diet and exercise was rated as \u201crather certain\u201d or \u201cvery certain\u201d by over 80% of the participants. FS who completed basic training achieved a higher Recruit Division Commander assessment (\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u2009&amp;lt;\u20090.001). Recruiters highlighted real-time tracking and progress feedback as key benefits of the app in qualitative feedback.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>CM+ proved to be an effective tool for monitoring real-time achievements during DEP training, improving military-related outcomes and nutrition understanding.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fdgth.2026.1794165","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]],"date-time":"2026-06-23T06:21:12Z","timestamp":1782195672000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Improved dietary intake and readiness among United States Navy Future Sailors following mobile health application use"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"8","author":[{"given":"Lynn 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